Stranded in Kuwait? Here’s what you need to know about visas, refunds and passenger rights

Authorities in Kuwait have announced a series of emergency measures to assist travellers and residents affected by widespread flight disruptions caused by the regional security situation and the temporary closure of airspace.

The measures include automatic visa extensions, absence permit relief for residents stranded abroad, and guidance on passenger rights and travel insurance claims.

Visa relief for visitors

The government has confirmed that all visit visas expiring on or after February 28, 2026, will be automatically extended for one month.

The extension is applied electronically, meaning visitors do not need to visit immigration offices or submit any paperwork.

Authorities have also waived all fines and fees associated with visa overstays during this period.

Officials indicated that additional extensions may be introduced if the disruption continues, depending on developments in the region.

Absence permit extension for residents abroad

Residents of Kuwait who are currently outside the country and risk losing their residency because they have exceeded the permitted absence period will also receive relief.

The government has granted an automatic three-month extension to the absence period for all affected residents.

The extension is applied electronically and no application is required.

While not mandatory, travellers are advised to keep documentation of cancelled flights or travel disruptions as supporting proof if required later.

Understanding your passenger rights

Travellers whose flights were cancelled should be aware that their rights depend largely on where their flight was departing from, not just which airline operated the flight.

Flights departing from Kuwait

Flights leaving Kuwait fall under the authority of the country’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

When a flight is cancelled, airlines are generally required to offer passengers either:

• A full refund, or
• Rebooking on another flight at no additional cost

Airlines, including Kuwait Airways and Jazeera have been offering these options to affected passengers.

However, additional monetary compensation is unlikely in the current situation.

Because the airport disruption was caused by a security incident and subsequent government airspace closure, the cancellations are considered force majeure, meaning circumstances outside the airline’s control.

Flights departing from Europe or the UK

Passengers whose flights departed from Europe or the United Kingdom are covered by European passenger protection laws, specifically EU Regulation 261/2004.

Under these rules, passengers are entitled to:

• A full refund within seven days, or
• An alternative flight

Airlines must also provide duty of care for stranded passengers, which may include:

• Meals and refreshments
• Communication access
• Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is necessary

Normally, compensation ranging from €250 to €600 may apply for cancellations.

However, when cancellations are caused by extraordinary circumstances such as war, security threats, or airspace closures, airlines are not required to pay additional compensation beyond refunds and assistance.

Will travel insurance cover the disruption?

For many travellers, travel insurance may provide the most comprehensive financial protection.

If a comprehensive travel insurance policy was purchased before the crisis began, it may cover losses caused by the disruption.

Possible reimbursements may include:

• Non-refundable hotel bookings
• Missed connecting flights
• Extra accommodation and meals during delays
• Alternative transport costs
• Lost prepaid tours or activities

However, coverage depends on the specific terms of the policy, and some plans exclude war-related events.

Travellers are advised to submit claims as soon as possible, as insurers across the region are expected to receive a high volume of requests.

What if you don’t have travel insurance?

Travellers without insurance still have several possible options.

Credit card chargebacks

If an airline fails to process a refund within a reasonable period, passengers who paid by credit card may request a chargeback through their card issuer.

This allows the bank to dispute the transaction if the service paid for was not delivered.

Employer responsibility

In some cases, workers whose travel was arranged by their employer may be able to seek assistance from their company.

Under certain circumstances, employers may be responsible for arranging alternative travel or covering stranded expenses, depending on employment contracts and labour regulations.

Embassy support

Travellers facing serious financial difficulty should contact their national embassy in Kuwait.

Embassies can help with:

• Emergency travel documents
• Coordination of evacuation flights
• Temporary financial assistance

Such assistance is usually provided as repayable emergency loans rather than grants.

Keep all receipts

Travellers seeking compensation or reimbursement are advised to keep every receipt related to the disruption, including:

• Hotel stays
• Meals
• Transportation
• Communication costs

These documents will be essential when filing claims with airlines, insurers, employers, or financial institutions.